Hong Kong's old Kai Tak airport to be dredged to build barge loading dock

MARINE construction involving dredging to create a barge loading dock will be carried out at the former Kai Tak Airport runway, from Wednesday October 3 for about four months, announced the Hong Kong Marine Department.

After it has been constructed, the temporary loading facility will remain in barging operation for about three and a half years.

"The works will be carried out by one grab dredger, two split hopper barges and one derrick barge, and one tug will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements," the marine department said.

A working area of 30 metres around the grab dredger will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the grab dredger, said the statement from department.

Several silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established within the works area. Each silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow markers fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extents of the silt curtains, said the notice.

The hours of work will be from 7am to 7pm. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels engaged in the works will stay in the works area outside the hours of work, it said.